In the News The Counterterrorist

January 9, 2009

“The U.S. in some areas has to take off the gloves, and I think that's entirely appropriate.”
John Brennan, newly named presidential adviser on counterterrorism

Six weeks ago, the man Barack Obama had in mind to head the CIA was obliged to withdraw from contention when the blogosphere got wind of remarks he had made in a FRONTLINE interview, defending controversial methods of interrogation.

Now, according to the Washington Post, John Brennan has been offered another Obama job, as the new president's chief adviser on counterterrorism, and this one doesn't require Senate confirmation.

The remarks that brought Brennan down the first time can be seen in the above excerpt. For more background on the story, see our earlier Editor's Note, or watch the full program, called The Dark Side.